Journal
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY
Volume 43, Issue 1, Pages 129-139Publisher
PALGRAVE MACMILLAN LTD
DOI: 10.1057/s41271-021-00330-w
Keywords
COVID-19; Lockdown implementation; Ghana
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This article presents the perspectives of the public in Ghana on the implementation of lockdown measures. Most respondents characterized the lifting of the lockdown as hasty, poorly communicated, and lacking transparency, and expressed a preference for a longer lockdown. Concerns were raised about the health systems' ability to respond to increased disease transmission and provide necessary education and engagement in communities.
COVID-19 exacts huge health and economic burdens on the global economy. To minimize spread of the virus, most governments of the wealthiest countries implemented lockdowns-a tough preventive measure. Ghana implemented a partial lockdown of two major cities, then lifted it in few weeks despite rising numbers of cases. This Viewpoint presents perspectives of key stakeholders in the public about lockdown implementation in Ghana. Respondents characterize the lifting of the lockdown as hasty, poorly communicated, and lacking transparency. Most would have preferred a longer lockdown despite the pressures it imposed especially on the urban poor. Participants expressed uncertainty about the health systems' ability to respond to increases in disease transmission and to provide education, engagement, and empowerment needed in communities, but even so would have preferred a longer lockdown. We offer lessons for more effective policy and implementation of lockdowns.
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